Andy Burnham, the new UK prime minister, has selected his cabinet, naming John Healey as chancellor and Ed Miliband as foreign secretary, with Yvette Cooper moving to health secretary and Shabana Mahmood staying at the Home Office.
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Key facts
- John Healey has been appointed chancellor.
- Ed Miliband named foreign secretary.
- Yvette Cooper becomes health secretary.
- Shabana Mahmood and Pat McFadden remain in their existing posts, and Angela Rayner returns as housing secretary.
- Burnham said his arrival in power would be a 'circuit breaker' moment for the UK.
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has begun choosing his cabinet, with a number of MPs seen entering Downing Street as he assembled his top team, according to the Guardian’s live coverage.
John Healey has been made chancellor, while Ed Miliband has been named foreign secretary. The appointments were among the first confirmed as Burnham set out the shape of his new government.
Yvette Cooper has become health secretary, according to the Guardian. Angela Rayner returns to government as housing secretary.
Some ministers have kept their existing roles. Shabana Mahmood remains home secretary, and Pat McFadden also stays in his current post, the Guardian reported.
In his first Downing Street speech, Burnham vowed that his arrival in power would be a ‘circuit breaker’ moment for the UK. The Guardian noted that on his way to Buckingham Palace and No 10, Burnham may have seen banners on Whitehall urging the government not to allow the proposed Rosebank oil field development in the North Sea.
The cabinet-building process unfolded over the course of the day, with the Guardian tracking MPs arriving at Downing Street as Burnham finalised his choices.
Why it matters
A new prime minister's first cabinet signals the direction and priorities of the incoming government. The mix of new appointments and retained ministers offers early clues about how much continuity or change voters can expect under Andy Burnham's leadership.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the new UK chancellor under Andy Burnham?
John Healey has been appointed chancellor, according to the Guardian's live coverage.
Who has been named foreign secretary?
Ed Miliband has been named foreign secretary.
Which ministers kept their existing jobs?
Shabana Mahmood remains home secretary and Pat McFadden stays in his current post, while Angela Rayner returns as housing secretary.
Timeline
- Healey made chancellor, Miliband named foreign secretary and Yvette Cooper becomes health secretary as Burnham picks cabinet – UK politics as it happened
The Guardian World: Rayner is back as housing secretary, while Mahmood and McFadden remain in their existing posts Burnham vows his arrival in power will be ‘circuit breaker’ moment for UK Six highlights from Andy Burnham’s first Downing Street speech Andy Burnham may see banners urging the governme
- Healey made chancellor, Miliband named foreign secretary and Yvette Cooper becomes health secretary as Burnham picks cabinet – UK politics live
The Guardian World: A number of MPs are entering Downing Street as the new PM chooses his top team Burnham vows his arrival in power will be ‘circuit breaker’ moment for UK Six highlights from Andy Burnham’s first Downing Street speech Andy Burnham may see banners urging the government not to allow
- Healey made chancellor, Miliband named foreign secretary and Mahmood remains home secretary as Burnham picks cabinet – UK politics live
The Guardian World: A number of MPs are entering Downing Street as the new prime minister chooses his top team Burnham vows his arrival in power will be ‘circuit breaker’ moment for UK Six highlights from Andy Burnham’s first Downing Street speech Andy Burnham may see banners urging the government n